Astros hit well but fall to Yankees

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Some early strong swings against Yankees starter Ivan Nova didn’t produce enough of a cushion for an Astros split-squad team at home on Saturday afternoon in a 9-6 loss.

Against the Yankees, the Astros made all three of the game’s errors, including a Dexter Fowler throwing error from center field in the sixth inning on a play where the tying and go-ahead runs scored.

Jose Altuve had two hits against the Yanks, as did Cesar Izturis, who’s trying to make the club as a reserve infielder.

Chris Carter’s three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning was his first of the spring and took the Astros from a 4-3 to a two-run lead.

The Astros scored two runs in the first inning and another in the third off Nova.

“There was some fundamental things that we need to definitely get cleaned up but I’ll tell you, I thought we swung the bats well,” Astros manager Bo Porter said. “Altuve and Dexter swung the bat well early in the game there, Carter with the big three-run homer. Krauss continues toe wing the bat well. We did have a couple fundamental things that led to extra outs for the other team.”

Marc Krauss continued his hot hitting with one hit in two trips.

Astros starter Jarred Cosart was charged with two runs, one earned, in 1 2/3 innings. The righthander felt particularly good about throwing his curveball and changeup for strikes, a focus of his.

On the road in Clearwater, Fla., the rest of the Astros also lost, 11-3 to the Phillies. Lefty Dallas Keuchel threw three no-hit innings and struck out two. He walked one. Righty Collin McHugh followed with six earned runs in 2 1/3 innings.

The Astros were charged two errors in that game.

Porter makes early use of challenge system

Saturday marked the first trial run the Astros have this spring training at MLB’s new challenge system, and it was available in both split-squad games. At home at Osceola County Stadium, Porter didn’t waste any time, challenging whether Yankees pitcher Ivan Nova held first base while covering on a bunt play in the second inning at home against the Yankees.

The call was upheld.

“It was pretty smooth,” manager Bo Porter said. “(The umpire) felt like he had a good look and he goes, ‘Do you want to challenge?’ I said, ‘Yes, I want to challenge.’ And he went to the video and he was able to get his foot back on the bag.”

“The fact that they have (an umpire) dedicated and watching it, by the time the umpire on the field actually gets the headset on, I think that remote person has probably looked at a few times already.”

Porter said that he doesn’t expect any scenarios this season where he would have to challenge a play without being able to check with the Astros’ coordinator for baseball operations, Pete Putila.

Putila will be charged in-season with reviewing plays for the Astros and communicating whether a challenge should take place to the bench. The replays come up nearly instantaneously for Putila to review.

“The fact that you have video footage, it would behoove you to allow your video people to look at it to give you their decision rather than basing it on your two eyes at game speed,” Porter said. “They’re sitting there in front of the video, they can stop it, pause it, and that takes a matter of five seconds.”

The Astros are going to compile video of replay challenges throughout the season and keep statistics on them.

Worth noting

Righty Mark Appel has been doing flat-ground work lately after getting on the mound in February — meaning his activity was ramped up a bit and then lightened. He has likely dealt with some standard soreness following some downtime after his Jan. 30 appendectomy. He’s expected to get back on a mound Sunday for a bullpen session.